New programs director joins the North Berrien Historical Museum

The North Berrien Historical Museum in Coloma has hired a new full time employee to direct and develop programs and special events.  The position of Director of Programs was recently filled by Watervliet native Pauline Wendzel.  Her responsibilities will include creating and delivering programs for schools, families, and the general public, as well as coordinating volunteers and museum outreach.  The museum’s Executive Director Tracy Gierada says, “The North Berrien Historical Society is pleased to welcome Pauline Wendzel to our staff.  Her background and personality are a great fit for this job, and she is passionate about the local history mission that drives all our work.”

Pauline Wendzel is a lifelong resident of the area with roots in Bainbridge Township going back four generations.  She was raised in the farmhouse built by her great grandfather Robert Wendzel on North Branch Road.  Pauline grew up on a working fruit and vegetable farm and retains a keen interest in the current and historical value of agriculture in the development of the region. Pauline is a graduate of Watervliet Public Schools and Michigan State University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Food Industry Management in 2012.  She studied abroad in Greece and Turkey, participated in service trips to Mexico and Nicaragua, and also served as Michigan Apple Queen in 2007.  She has several years of experience working with children and running child development programs. 

The North Berrien Historical Society, founded in 1966, opened the museum in 1992.  It is supported by an operating millage in the four townships and two cities in northern Berrien County.  The museum is located at 300 Coloma Avenue, on Red Arrow Highway across from Coloma High School.  The mission of the historical society and museum is to “preserve and distribute information regarding the history of North Berrien County. We wish to promote, encourage learning, and disseminate knowledge of the area’s cultural and architectural legacy.” 

Victorian Valentines Party

The North Berrien Historical Museum welcomes the public to attend a Victorian Valentines Party on Saturday, February 9 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.  Bring along family and friends to celebrate Valentine’s Day with festive games and refreshments.  All ages will enjoy being creative with an array of craft materials for making your own special valentine card to give away.  Get inspiration from our collection of historic valentines spanning the 20th century which will be on display. 

There is a suggested donation of $3/person for the valentine craft.  RSVP is appreciated at (269) 468-3330 or nbhsprograms@yahoo.com. The North Berrien Historical Museum is located on Red Arrow Highway, across the street from Coloma High School, at 300 Coloma Avenue.  For more information contact the museum at (269) 468-3330.

The Coastline Children’s Film Festival welcomes all to Coloma events

January 21, 2013 – Coloma, MI – The 3rd annual Coastline Children’s Film Festival will be held February 1-10, 2013, and for the first time, several events will take place in Coloma.  The Loma Theatre will screen films and the North Berrien Historical Museum will host a reception and children’s activity program.  The mission of the Coastline Children's Film Festival is to bring high quality independent films and animation for children and young adults to Berrien County and to present them - on the big screen - as shared theatrical experiences for the whole family and community.   Alongside the screening of award-winning feature films, shorts and documentaries, the festival offers the opportunity to learn more through hands-on workshops and presentations.  More information including a full schedule of events for the ten screening locations can be found at www.brookviewschool.org. 

Film screenings are open to all ages and are free to attend, however, a one-dollar suggested donation per person is requested.  The historic Loma Theatre is generously sponsoring the screenings of films on three days.  Details for the events in Coloma are as follows:

Download the Coloma Schedule - 2013 Coastline Children's Film Festival

Saturday, February 2

Film Screenings: 1:00 to 2:40pm, Loma Theatre

            “A Trip to the Moon” (1902, 15 min.) – The restored 1902 hand-colored silent film masterpiece by Georges Méliès. “A Trip to the Moon” is the first known science fiction film, and uses innovative animation and special effects including the well-known image of the spaceship landing in the Moon’s eye.

                “Man on a Mission” (2010 Documentary, 82 min.) – Richard Garriott can afford to pursue his dreams- even the wildly improbable ones. For instance, following in his astronaut father’s footsteps. Richly funny and invigorating, “Man on a Mission” tags along with Richard on his years-long quest to become the first second-generation American to fly in space and features stunning HD video from his voyage.

Out of this World Reception: 3:00 to 4:00pm, North Berrien Historical Museum

            Free. Featuring a musical performance by Coloma Bands, a Model Rocket Launch and a display of a space travel appliance developed by Whirlpool in the 1960s-70s.  

Wednesday, February 6

Film Screenings: 5:30 to 7:00pm, Loma Theatre

            Young Filmmakers Competition Shorts (15 min.) – Featuring a film by Coloma High School student Mak Hepler-Gonzalez

            “The Adventures of Prince Achmed” (1926, 67 min.) – This is the oldest known animated film, with an exciting story based upon “Arabian Nights” and a silhouette style that is intricate, colorful, and mesmerizing. A handsome prince rides a flying horse to faraway lands, meets Aladdin, befriends a witch, and falls in love with a princess. German subtitles are spoken in English.

Sunday, February 10

Film Screening: 1:00 to 2:15pm, Loma Theatre

            “Safety Last” (1923, 73 min.) – The brilliant silent film comedian, Harold Lloyd, gets a job in a big store. He pretends to his girlfriend that he’s the manager, but he’s a humble sales assistant. He plans a publicity stunt—someone should climb the front of a tall tall building. He doesn’t think that it’ll be him, but it is! The climb is incredible; your heart will be in your mouth! (Recommended for ages 9+ due to subtitles.)

Sound History Workshop: 2:30 to 3:30pm, North Berrien Historical Museum

            Free for children ages 9+, pre-registration is required. Participants will view and listen to historic sound-makers including a variety of instruments, a Victrola, a modern phonograph, 8-tracks, cassettes, CDs and then make their own candy i-Pod craft.  To register for the program, please contact the Museum at 269-468-3330 or info@northberrienhistory.org.

The Coastline Children’s Film Festival is sponsored by a grant from the Virginia and Harvey Kimmel Arts Education Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation and contributions from the Loma Theatre, the New Buffalo Arts Council, Chemical Bank, Martin’s Super Markets, and Mid-West Family Broadcasting/WSJM-AM St. Joseph/WSJM-FM Benton Harbor.  This international film festival for a children’s audience is the first of its kind in Berrien County and is run through a partnership with Brookview School, an independent Montessori school serving children from infancy to 6^th grade.  The festival has been brought to Coloma through a collaboration with the North Berrien Historical Society.  For more information, call Brookview School at 269-925-3544 or the North Berrien Historical Museum at 269-468-3330. 

Museum hosts free screening of Black Ash Basketry Documentary

The North Berrien Historical Museum welcomes the public to attend a free screening of the documentary film Black Ash Basketry: A Story of Cultural Resilience (Length: 60 minutes) on Tuesday, January 15 at 7:00pm.  The film was produced by the Grand Rapids-based Great Lakes Lifeways Institute in 2010.  Click this link to Watch the Film Trailer.

The art of making baskets from the Black Ash tree has been practiced by countless generations of Michigan’s Native Americans.  As an art form, it is part of the daily lives of Anishinabe basket makers Steve Pigeon and his extended family.  For the Pigeons and many other Great Lakes Indian families, basketry is and has been a powerful connecting force, linking generations past and present.  Now, the impact of an invasive Asian beetle, the Emerald Ash Borer, threatens this craft.  As the borer moves across the region in a wave of devastation, millions of ash trees have been lost, leaving an uncertain future for this age old tradition.  Through the voices of Native Elders and basket makers in West Michigan, this film explores the beauty of this traditional art and reveals a story of family, hope, and an underlying spirit of cultural resilience.

This film screening at the North Berrien Historical Museum is free to attend and complimentary popcorn and refreshments will be served.  The museum is located at 300 Coloma Avenue, on Red Arrow Highway across from Coloma High School.  For more information, contact the museum at (269) 468-3330.